When I saw the first three seasons of the TV show Schitt’s Creek was added to Netflix this summer, there was only one thing to do: binge watch all three, of course. (And wait until the next three are added).

Schitt’s Creek is the quiet, weird, Canadian comedy that snuck up on everyone after it first aired in January of 2015. Ten years later, fans are still talking about it.

If somehow you missed it, Schitt’s Creek is a Canadian sitcom about the wealthy Rose family who lose their fortune and are forced to relocate to a small town they once bought as a joke. The classic ‘fish out of water’ plot is embellished by brilliantly comic characters fully actualized by actors Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and Annie Murphy.

Goodwood, a town that’s basically a country highway crossing a few other streets, provides the exterior shots from many of the fictional town’s landmarks.

Dog-friendly Goodwood, Ontario

When I found out that Goodwood, Ontario (part of Uxbridge) was the small-town shooting location for many outdoor scenes, mainly buildings in the amusingly named town of Schitt’s Creek – let’s face it, Goodwood is not a name without an edge of humour either – I had to check it out … with my dog.

Who doesn’t want photos of their dog at Schitt’s Creek landmarks?

It just so happened we were booked to stay at a dog-friendly cabin along Musselman Lake too. Actually, that booking came first. Finding out we were this close to Schitt’s Creek notoriety was a happy accident.

To Goodwood we went, and like so many people, posed outside of all the Schitt’s Creek locations. And we weren’t the only ones, even on a weekday afternoon. The fun part is, these are real buildings, not props, so are currently being used for non-fictitious purposes. The challenging part is that these are real buildings, privately owned, and currently being used for other purposes. They aren’t clearly marked, and other than a new sign based on the Schitt’s Creek questionable billboard image outside of the former ‘Rose Apothecary,’ there isn’t anything alluding to the show. You kind of have to know what you are looking for.

Here’s what a Schitt’s Creek enthusiast need to look for in Goodwood, Ontario:

Bob’s Garage: The building is still blue but continues to be a workshop owned by a local man who makes furniture for disabled people. Outside the building is a framed image of a newspaper article about the building, highlighted by a sign that says, “Bob’s Garage is Closed.” Otherwise, orange traffic cones caution peekers from getting too close.

Café Tropical: Is a private building, possibly a residence, that has no signage. Taking a photo on the porch aren’t encouraged, but is just too tempting to avoid. Kitty corner to this fictional cafe is a real one – Anninas Bake Shop where you can grab lunch inside or take it outside on the picnic tables if you’re with your pup. The baked goods here are incredible – so much so, I came back on my way home to add a pie and more to my freezer.

Rose Apothecary: This is the building capitalizing on the popularity of the show by becoming a boutique called The Goodwood Mercantile. You’ll find the recognizable sign out front. The dog-friendly Goodwood Mercantile shop specializes in local artisan work and offers some cheeky Schitt’s Creek memorabilia. The shop is only open Friday to Sunday, but you can take photos of the building at any time. 

Town Hall: In the show, this building hosted Schitt’s Creek Town Hall meetings and Jazzagals rehearsals. Today, it’s home to the Goodwood Lion’s Club, and it’s harder to find. Again, there’s no map.

Is Goodwood, Ontario dog-friendly?

Yes, bring the dog along on your Schitt’s Creek fandom outing. What you want to see in Goodwood is walkable, outdoors, and therefore dog friendly. All the main filming locations are visible from the street, so leashed dogs can easily pose for pics – which we did. And there’s green space around, including the picnic area outside of Anninas Bake Shop. However, a well-travelled road bisects the highlights.

As with most sites, inside the buildings are off limits to dogs, with one exception: the new Goodwood Mercantile inside the building that stood in for Rose Apothecary permits well-behaved and under control dogs inside to look around. However, during our visit, we couldn’t go in because they weren’t open. Currently, the artisan shop is taking advantage of weekend gawkers by only being open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

You can also sit outside the Anninas Bake Shop with your pup – that’s kitty corner to the same building where fictional character Twyla ran Café Tropical, boasting a double menu of ‘moderately edible’ food and ‘Surprise Me’ smoothies. However, Anninas Bake Shop is more than edible. It’s incredible. And that’s where stock up on excellent sandwiches, baked goods, and snacks for our stay at our dog-friendly Musselman Lake cabin.

When to Visit Goodwood

Goodwood, part of Uxbridge, Ontario, is about an hour’s drive from Toronto (depending on traffic). Because it’s an easy day trip from the Big Smoke, weekends are popular with visitors, especially in the fall and summer. Plan to spend about an hour to get all the photos, and more if you plan to have lunch … or if your dog likes to sniff everything, like mine does. 

Tips for Schitt’s Creek Fans

• Respect private property. Photos outside only. Pick up after your dog, of course.
• Pair your visit with a visit to a rental cabin along Musselman Lake – we did. (More here).
• To see the stand in for the iconic Rosebud Motel, owned by the Rose Family, you’ll have to drive about 40 to 60 minutes away to Mono, Ontario, home to the Hockley Motel. The motel is not open to the public, but recent reports indicate the Rosebud Motel sign was back on the building suggesting something is up.
• Nearby Stouffville, Ontario is the home of Thicketwood Vet Hospital – a real veterinary office – played the role of Ted’s veterinary clinic where Alexis learned to be a receptionist (sort of).

Overall, this was a fun half day visit to Goodwood, Ontario, taking photos of my pup in front of buildings featured in the popular Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek. I’m not sure if my dog understood the meaning of ‘Ewe, David,’ but she loves somewhere new to smell. Yes, ewe. And some treats from Anninas didn’t hurt either.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!